Normal for fresh cut frags to lose color?

[newbie916]

Kind of a stupid question, but is it normal for fresh cut frags to lose their color? It seems whenever I get fresh cut frags that they tend to brown out or lose a lot of their original color. All of my other acros and sps look great with awesome polyp extension. The frags keep their polyp extension, but lose their color after a few weeks. Is that pretty normal? Here's are my tank parameters and lighting and flow.

SG: 1.026 (Using D&D H2O)
Alk: 9 dkh
Mg: 1500
Ca: 450
P04: 0-.01
Nitrates: 0-5
Amm:0
Nitrite:0
PH:8.2

Weekly 30% water changes using RO/DI and D&D.

45 gallon Tech tank(Up for 8 months)
Coralife 250 watt MH with 20k Ushio Bulb (2months old)
2xMP10ES on 100% Reef Crest
SWC 120 skimmer
Phosban reactor: Chemipure Elite
GFO and Carbon Media bags: changed ever 2-3 weeks

I think my water, lighting, and flow is pretty adequate. Could it be too much light? I usually acclimate from the center of the tank and move them upwards. I'm having the most difficulty with the Milli's.

Thanks for any help.

Chris

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Light is only one factor in determining color. The light is not the most important factor. I have seen great color under poor lights. But never great color with less than optimum water conditions. Your light has a different effect on your corals depending on the tanks nutirent and flow levels. If you are unhappy with your color, you would most likely be better served to change your maintenance routine rather than starting to chase the magic light bullet.

 

[dunk373]

when i frag my corals get darker, to me it seems my main colony is a lighter color say with purple tips when i frag that one the frags are a deep purple. Also have a colony of purple monti digitata. which was brown with a hint of purple i had one frag which is deep purple and recently made five more frags a week later they are purple and still changing to a darker purple. I believe 2nd and 3rd gen frags are hardier, and more colorful. i have a huge acro colony when i gave it at a lower k it grows fast with lighter colors. with a high k it darkens and growth slows a lot

 

[newbie916]

Interesting...Thanks guys.

I'm just curious because I have some pieces that look awesome like my Ultimates PM, Garf Bonsai, ATL PL, Jedi Mind trick, Ice Fire Echinata, and a dozen more. However, my Bubblegum Milli, Palmers Blue, Rommel Rainbow, Polleta Pink tip, and Rouge Milli ate somewhat browned out or lost a lot of their color. Weird because some like the Ice Fire and a fee others that are supposr to be sensitive are doing great, but the milli's which are suppose to be easy are losing color. Any thoughts?

Thanks guys

 

[newbie916]

By the way, I have 2 clowns, 3 anthias, and a mystery Wrasse for bioload.

I alternate between mysis, brine, cyclopeeze, and Formula 2. Feed small amounts twice daily.

Also, feed 1/4 capful of Roti, Oyster, and phytofeast 3x weekly along with 10 drops of ELOS coral aminos.

Should I stop feeding the coral food and aminos and cutback on feeding? My water seems fine, but I'm open to trying anything.

 

[REEF SMAC]

Kind of a stupid question, but is it normal for fresh cut frags to lose their color? It seems whenever I get fresh cut frags that they tend to brown out or lose a lot of their original color.

Well it does seem to be normal for me.

I usually just chalk it up to stress from the change of environment from wherever it came from.
My QT lights are not the greatest either, so that doesn't help.
IME after they adjust for awhile, they usually color right back up.
Some just take awhile

 

[Dog boy Dave]

I wouldn't call millis easy corals at all. Surely in the top third on the likely to show stress from water quality issues.

 

[njreefermadness]

I have fresh cut a lot of frags and received lots of fresh cuts. I haven't noticed any consistent browning out, nor have any of my recipients noticed any (unless of course they weren't equipped to hand SPS in the first place).

Herb

 

[newbie916]

Thanks guys, I've noticed since I reduced the feedings and cut way back on the Amino's, roti, oyster, phyto feast that most of them are coloring back up. I think another issue was that I switched from Reef Crystals to D&D H20 salt, so the corals were adjusting. I also switched my bulbs last month from 14k Phoenix's to 20k Ushio's. Maybe too many changes in too short of a period. That's the only thing I can think of. All have showed more signs of coloring up and excellent polyp extension except for my frag of Rouge Milli. I think the key coulprit was a combination of overfeeding, changing bulbs, and changing salts.

By the way, what are you guys feeding your sps? I've heard a lot of guys just feed their fish and that's sufficient.

Thanks again